Spatial control of genome editing activity enables localized immunotherapy
Abstract
Precise control of genome editing activity in vivo remains a major barrier to the clinical translation of CRISPR-based therapeutics, as current approaches cannot reliably restrict editing activity to target tissues 1,2,3 . Here we show that a magnetically gated baculoviral CRISPR platform enables spatial control of genome editing activity 4 . By coupling magnetic activation of viral transduction at target sites with complement-mediated inactivation of circulating vectors, this system functionally confines genome editing activity to defined spatial contexts, effectively decoupling editing activity from biodistribution. We further show that spatially confined genome editing can be coupled with endogenous antiviral sensing to drive coordinated immune modulation within tumours. In a syngeneic murine tumour model, local administration combined with magnetic activation restricts genome editing to tumours without detectable editing in major organs, remodels dendritic cell and CD8□ T cell states, suppresses tumour growth, and extends survival. Together, these findings establish a generalizable strategy for spatial control of genome editing and localized immunomodulation in cancer.
Fields of Study & Subjects
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
Virus-based gene therapy research
CAR-T cell therapy research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
- Publication date
- 15 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint